Lhasa Apso
A sentinel inside Tibetan monasteries, where it raised the alarm and the mastiffs outside did the rest. Long coated, long lived, and suspicious of strangers.
Overview
The Lhasa Apso was kept inside Tibetan monasteries and palaces as an interior sentinel, raising the alarm if anyone got past the Tibetan Mastiffs outside. That is the whole temperament in one sentence: a small dog with a big dog's sense of duty and a very sharp ear.
They were never sold, only given as gifts, and the first pair reached the West in the 1930s that way.
Temperament
Independent, watchful and reserved. Lhasas are devoted to their own people and genuinely suspicious of strangers, and they are among the least biddable toy sized breeds.
They are not lap dogs by default. They are dignified, opinionated and slow to warm, and they will bark at anything unfamiliar. They can be snappy with children who do not respect them, and they suit adult households better than boisterous family ones.
Care and grooming
The long heavy straight coat reaches the floor and needs thorough combing every day or two, plus regular bathing. Many owners keep it in a shorter puppy clip, which is a sensible choice.
Progressive retinal atrophy has a DNA test, and hereditary renal dysplasia occurs in the breed. Dry eye and patellar luxation are also seen. Twelve to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
Thirty to forty five minutes a day plus play. They suit flats.
They are hardy and long lived and they are more independent than most small breeds. Anyone wanting an affectionate biddable lap dog should look elsewhere, and anyone wanting a small dog with genuine character should look here.
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